KINGSPORT — Some 300 Eastman Chemical Co. employees — including 200 in Kingsport — are being notified this week that they no longer have a job.

The Kingsport-based company announced March 9 it would cut 200 to 300 positions worldwide in four to six weeks. Monday marked exactly four weeks since that announcement.

The company held an impromptu news briefing at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center Monday afternoon, saying the layoffs are permanent, and should be completed in the next few days.

Those affected will get severance packages, which include two weeks of pay for each year of service up to 52 weeks; four months of continued medical benefits; and outplacement services to help them find other employment.

More details as they develop online or in Tuesday's print editon of the Times-News.